[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 7 (Tuesday, January 11, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-638]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: January 11, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mine Safety and Health Administration

 

Petitions for Modification

    The following parties have filed petitions to modify the 
application of mandatory safety standards under section 101(c) of the 
Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.

1. New Warwick Mining Company

[Docket No. M-93-323-C]

    New Warwick Mining Company, R.D. 1, Box 167A, Mount Morris, 
Pennsylvania 15349 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 
CFR 75.364(b)(1) (weekly examination) to its Warwick Mine (I.D. No. 36-
02374) located in Greene County, Pennsylvania. Due to hazardous roof 
conditions, certain areas of the mine cannot be traveled safely. The 
petitioner proposes to establish evaluations points to monitor for 
methane and the quantity of air in the affected areas. The petitioner 
asserts that the proposed alternate method would provide at least the 
same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

2. Costain Coal, Inc.

[Docket No. M-93-324-C]

    Costain Coal, Inc., P.O. Box 289, Sturgis, Kentucky 42459-0289 has 
filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.364(b) (weekly 
examination) to its Baker Mine (I.D. No. 15-14492) located in Webster 
County, Kentucky. The petitioner requests that the minimum volume of 
air reaching the inby monitoring point be 5,000 cubic feet per minute. 
In addition, the petitioner proposes to physically examine the affected 
areas weekly rather than daily because the mine wide atmospheric 
monitoring system, with a proposed additional sensor to measure air 
velocity, would provide the necessary monitoring. This petition 
modifies a Decision and Order on a previous petition, docket number M-
92-94-C. The petitioner states that the proposed alternate method would 
not result in a diminution of safety to the miners.

3. Consolidation Coal Company

[Docket No. M-93-325-C]

    Consolidation Coal Company, 1800 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, 
Pennsylvania 15241-1421 has filed a petition to modify the application 
of 30 CFR 75.343(b) (underground shops) to its Loveridge No. 22 Mine 
(I.D. No. 46-01433) located in Marion County, West Virginia. The 
petitioner proposes to ventilate the underground motor barn with intake 
air that is coursed through the affected air course directly into a 
return air course and that is not used to ventilate working places; and 
to establish check points to monitor for methane and the quantity of 
air in the affected area on a weekly basis. The petitioner asserts that 
the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure 
of protection as would the mandatory standard.

4. North Mountain Coal Company

[Docket No. M-93-326-C]

    North Mountain Coal Company, R.D. #1, Box 32A, Dornsife, 
Pennsylvania 17823 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 
CFR 75.1002-1(a) (location of other electric equipment; requirements 
for permissibility) to its West Side South Dip (I.D. No. 36-07681) 
located in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes 
to use nonpermissible electric equipment within 150 feet of the pillar 
line and to suspend equipment operation anytime the methane 
concentration at the equipment reaches 0.5 percent either during 
operation or a preshift examination.

5. McElroy Coal Company

[Docket No. M-93-327-C]

    McElroy Coal Company, 1800 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, 
Pennsylvania 15241-1421 has filed a petition to modify the application 
of 30 CFR 75.364(b)(2) (weekly examination) to its McElroy Mine (I.D. 
No. 46-01437) located in Marshall County, West Virginia. Due to 
deteriorating roof conditions, certain areas of the return air course 
cannot be traveled safely. The petitioner proposes to establish 
evaluation points at specific locations and to have a certified person 
monitor for methane and the quantity and quality of air at these 
evaluation points on a weekly basis and record the results in a book 
kept on the surface. The petitioner asserts that the proposed 
alternative method would provide at least the same measure of 
protection as would the mandatory standard.

6. Sonora Mining Corporation

[Docket No. M-93-13-M]

    Sonora Mining Corporation, P.O. Box 1418, Jamestown, California 
95327 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 56.9300 
(berms or guardrails) to its Jamestown Mine (I.D. No. 04-04695) located 
in Tuolumne County, California. The petitioner proposes to eliminate 
the use of berms during construction of the final lift on the tailings 
dam and place material on the dam in one-foot compact layers in order 
to comply with the California State Division of Dam Safety. The 
petitioner states that the height of the dam (200') has reached a point 
where the width on top will not allow enough room for scrapers to 
travel and dump their loads if berms are used. In addition, the 
petitioner states that to maintain a safe work environment, mobile 
equipment that would work on top would drive forward only.

Request for Comments

    Persons interested in these petitions may furnish written comments. 
These comments must be filed with the Office of Standards, Regulations 
and Variances, Mine Safety and Health Administration, room 627, 4015 
Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22203. All comments must be 
postmarked or received in that office on or before February 10, 1994. 
Copies of these petitions are available for inspection at that address.

    Dated: January 5, 1994.
Patricia W. Silvey,
Director, Office of Standards, Regulations and Variances.
[FR Doc. 94-638 Filed 1-10-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P